Catholics in Evansville joined Bishop Joseph Siegel in praying for healing in response to the clergy sex abuse scandal Monday night at Sacred Heart Church.
At the beginning of the service, the bishop walked down the main aisle before he prostrated himself in front of the altar. A cantor led the church in a litany while people kneeled in the pews behind the bishop.
Together, they prayed for healing and reparation.
"These services are basically designed to pray for healing for the victims of sexual abuse by clergy and ministers of the church," Diocese of Evansville spokesman Tim Lilley said. “Also prayer for healing of their families. And prayer for the healing of the body of the church which has been wounded by the bad acts of some people."
It’s one of four prayer services the bishop will hold throughout the diocese as the whole church reckons with the current crisis.
Dioceses across the country have released information about allegations against their clergy, including the Diocese of Owensboro which released the numbers of allegations and priests accused Monday morning.
The Evansville diocese has said it will provide the names of priests who have been credibly accused of abuse.
Lilley said that work continues and the diocese will publish the list as soon as it’s available.